Kaleidoscope



L .fu e e h s e, Dv h S 3 N .O m AA L C .0. C. n d 0 M 0 W l KALBIDOSQOPE. N0. 416,092.

Patented Nov. 2 6, 18.89.

N PUERS. Ptuwumegnpher, wamingmn. D,c.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

C. C. CLAWSON. KALEIDosooPB.

Patented Nov. 26, 1889.

FIGJV- M Z062.. L www (No Model.) 3 Sheets-'Sheet 3.

C. C. CLAWSON.

'mL-:IDOSGOPBl No. 416,092-I Patented Novr 26, 18879..

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLEMENT COLERIDGE CLAVSON, OF NEVARK, NElV JERSEY.

KALEIDOSCOPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 416,092, dated November 26, 1889.

Application filed August 26, 1889- Serial No. 321,966. (No model.)

To a/ZZ wiz/m it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLEMENTA COLERIDGE CLAWSON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Kaleido` scopes, of which the following speciiication is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to kaleidoscopes, which in general, as is well known, consist substantially of a tube or case provided with a sight-opening at the front end, mirrors or the support of said box, so as to give the light access to the glass back ot said box. Some of the improvement-s, however, may be used in other connections.

The presentinvention consists, principally, in a new or improved kaleidoscope having a power mechanism for automatically moving the object box or holder, in which kaleidoscope normally there is neither movement of the said object-holder by the power mechanism nor the ability to observe the objects or their reiection by a person desiring to use the instrument, (or if either of these exists it is only to a limited extent,) but in which on the introduction of one or more coins or tokens, with or without the performance of other intelligent operation by the person using the instrument, (or other person present,) the object-holder is moved automatically at a suitable speed by the appropriate power,`

(which may be that ot any suitable agent, as a weight, a spring, electricity, magnetism,

Y air, water, or other convenient medium,) and `sight into or through the instrument is permitted or a brighter View of its interior is y furnished during the whole or a part of the time said object-holder is in motion.

In this new or improved kaleidoscope, in addition to the singularly-arranged mirrors, the obj ect-box, the tube or case provided with a sight-opening, and the means for enabling` theinterior of the instrument to be illuminated, which severally or collectively may be of any ordinary orsuitable form and arrangement, the following. elements are employed, namely: first, a light-controller (such as a screen, for instance, or a means for Varying a source of light) for cutting ott or permitting the illumination of the instru ment or the passage of the rays of light out of or through the same, according to the position of said light-controller; second, a power mechanism i(suoli as a clock-work, electric motor, or the like) for automatically moving said object-holder, in contradistinction to a handle or handles, and connections for operating said holder by the person using the instrument; third, a movement-controller of any known or suitable description (such as a movable stop-pin, a shitting clutch, a switch, or the like) for stopping or permitting the movement of said object-holder by the power mechanism, according to the position of said movementcontroller, and, fourth, a coinmotor composed of any ordinary or suitable device or devices to be actuated or influenced by the coins or tokens introduced, connected directly or indirectly with the said light and movement controllers, or either ofthem, so that the shifting of one or both of said controllers from the normal to'what may be called the active position is dependent upon the action or iniiuence of one or more suitable coins or tokens on said coinmot-or. Of course if only one of these controllers, as the light-controller or the movementcontroller, be connected with the coin-motor, a cert-ain use might be made of the instrument without payment for the diversion which might thus be secured, yet payment would still be necessary to the full use and enjoyment of the instrument. It. is, however, preferred to connect both controllers with the coin-motor.

It is evident that the elements mentioned might be connected with one anotherin various ways in order to accomplish the new result before described. For example, it is apossible arrangement, but one not essential to TOO said result, that the sight-controller should be shifted by the power mechanism (or one connnected therewith) and the coin-motor be arranged first to act upon or influence the movement-controller and indirectly through the movement-con troller and the power mechanism to act upon or influence the light-controller.

Although, as already stated, the invention consists, principally, in a new or improved kaleidoscope composed of the elements mentioned, in which either the light-controller or the movement-controller, or both, are connected with the coin-motor, yet the invention also extends beyond these limits, for useful combinations (new, as I believe, with myself) of a number of element-s les-s than the whole may be made-as, for example, if the coin-inotor should be omitted, or if the light-controller and coin-motor should be employed in a kaleidoscope with an object -holder to be moved by hand, or if the light-controller should be omitted, the other elements remaining, as hereinbefore specified, or if the movement-controller and coin-motor should be applied to an object-box to be rotated by hand. Moreover, so far as I am aware, a kaleidoscope whose use is entirely orin part dependent on the introduction of one or more coins or tokens has never been produced before my invention thereof.

The invention also consists in the combination of a music-box or automatic musical instrument with the elements (or some of them) of the new or improved kaleidoscope, as hereinbefore specified, so that tunes are played at the same time that the moving objects and their reflections are exhibited.

Further, the invention comprises certain special improvements or particular constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter particularly pointed out, for all the uses to which such parts, improvements, or combinations are or maybe adapted.

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, Figure I is av front elevation of an instrument (or machine) constructed in accordance with this invention, the door of the hollow stand being opened to expose the interior. Fig. II is an end elevation of the same instru ment, (or machine.) Fig. III is a front elevation, on a larger scale, partly in vertical longitudinal section, the cover and also a portion of the front of the stand being removed. Fig. IV is a partial view in plan and horizontal section. Fig. V is a partial view in vertical cross-section on line o of Figs. I and III. Fig. VI is a partial view in vertical longitudinal section on line ci of Fig. II. Fig. VII is a back view of certain divisionstrips and other parts inside the obj ect-box. Figs. VIII and IX are detail views showing another disposition of the division strips. Fig. X is a partial view in end elevation (partly broken away,) illustrating another form of light-controller from that shown in prior figures. Figs. XI and XII are detail views illustrating a third form of light-controller, and Fig. XIII is a detail view in perspective of a portion of the cover of the instrument.

As shown, the mirrors A A of the kaleidoscope (see Figs. III and V) are set in a horizontal cylindrical tube B, having at its rear end the object-box C, which is movable about a horizontal axis. The tube B is supported at the front end by the cap-piece 2, provided with a contracted front portion with a sightopening therein and mounted on the front standard a, and at the rear end by the ring 5, fastened to the overhangng arm of the rear standard 6. The mirrors A A are, as shown, long strips of silvered glass placed lengthwise of the tube B at a suitable angle to each other. They are so arranged in connection with a third strip A as to form a hollow or tubular figure triangular in cross-section, the third strip A being preferably also a mirror, although it need not be. The three strips are of such width that the hollow figure formed thereby nearly fills the bore of the tube B, and they are wrapped with paper 7 or other tissue or fibrous wrapping material, so as quite to fill saizl tube. This wrapping 7 holds the strips firmly and forms a packing between the glass of the mirrors and the inclosing-wall of the tube and acts as a buffer to said glass. This mode of securing the mirrors in place is only a subordinate feature and is not, essential to the invention.

The obj ect-holder C consists of a box whose side walls are formed by the cylindrical shell 8, and whose front and back consist of the glass plates 9 and IO, respectivelv, the front 9 being of plain transparent glass and the back l0 of ground glass, as common in kaleidoscopes. In the box C are loose objects D D of colored glass or what not, and also objects D, fixed to the object-holder. The interior of the box is divided by longitudinal divisions 1l, preferably of plain glass, and different sets of the loose objects are placed in the different compartments. Two arrangements of these divisions are illustrated-one in which they are of trapezoidal form and extend obliquely from front to back, as shown in Figs. III, V, and VII, and the other in which they are rectangular and lie at right angles to said front andback, as shown in Figs. VIII and IX. Vith the arrangement of Figs. II, V, and VII a passage is left around the divisions l1 for the outerset D of loose objects to travel; but in Figs. VIII and IX the peripheral compartments are separate and are each provided with a set D of loose objects. The oblique arrangement of the divisions ll tends to cause the loose objectsD to pass forward under the action of gravity against the front 9 of the object-box. In both arrangements there are central and peripheral compartments of angular outline; but other arrangements of longitudinal partitions could be made, an object-box rotating about a horizontal axis and divided longitudinally into compartments being new generally.

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The fixed objects D" are preferably strips As shown, they are conned ox-front 9, which latter is confined by a rscrew-ring 12, while the box-back is pressed L. gainst a shoulder 13 on the shell 8. 'lshell at its front end fits into the ring` 5, in

This

`which itis free to turn, and is fastened to a -hemispherical shell or hood 14, which is jourknaled on the stationary journal-pin 15, fixed i-,nthe standard 6, the two shells 8 and 14 being preferably cast in one piece. By rotating lthe shell 14 about the `journal-pin 15 the object box or holder C is of course moved so as to alter constantly the position relatively to the mirrors A A of the objects belonging to said holder.' The use of the longitudinal `divisions, as also the use of fixed objects in ,connection with loose objects, gives a variety of new effects.l

yThe means shown in Figs. III and V for enabling the interior of the instrument to be illuminated consist` of an incandescent electric lamp E, mounted in the shell 14 on the `end of the pin 16, of, insulating material,

fixed in the journal-pin 15, which is made hollow for its reception. The conductors 17 gand 18 extend through the pin 16 for supply- Vling current from a suitable source of eleclproper current flows through the lamp it tricity, as the galvanic cells 19. So long as "glows and illuminates the interior of the instrument, and on the interruption of the curffrent the said interior is left in darkness7 the shell 14being opaque. It is preferred to place a reflector 21 around the lamp E and to form the said reflector of trapezoidal pieces A* of silvered glass confined between the groundf'glass plate 10 and the hub 22 inside the shell 1 4, the space back of the refiector being filled l with paper or other packing.

electric lamp as an illuminator for kaleido- This use of an scopes is advantageous because of the bright illumination, and also because by placing said lamp in line within the space between the mirrors A Al its light is reflected back and for-th by the mirrors, so as to produce very brilliant new effects. It may appear as a part of the kaleidoscopic figures, either in '5.0

its natural appearance (by making the back 'plate 10 of plain glass) or modified more or less by the character of the medium through which its rays are transmitted.

The object-box C is moved by means of mechanism driven bythe weight G,suspen ded in loops of the. wire 23, which is fastened at one end to the stationary cross-piece 24, Figs.

I and III, runs over the pulleys 25 and 26 on saidweight and said cross-piece, respectively,

and is wound at its other end upon the drum 27, said drum being mounted on a shaft 23 f with a spur-wheel 29,wvhich meshes into a moderated by means of a fiy 31, Fig. II, forming part of an automatic musical instrument H H', which it is preferred to combine with the kaleidoscope, so as to furnish music during the exhibition of the kaleidoscope. The musical instrument shown is the ordinary music-box with toothed cylinder and comb. The cylinder is driven from the drum 27 through the gearsV 55 and 56.

The movement-controller for the objectbox consists, as shown, of a movable stop I, which is normally in the path of the tooth 32, rotating with the cylinder H of the musical instrument, but which, being mounted on a lever-arm 33, is moved out of the way of said tooth when desired to allow the music-cylinder H and the object-box C to be moved by the weight G.

The coin-motor shown consists of a lever K, having its lower end provided with a plate 34 in line with a coin-spout K' and being free to move under the impact or weight of a coin directed onto said plate by the spout K'. It is connected with the movement controller or stop I, the arm 33, which carries said stop, being, as shown, a continuation of lever K, s0 that the movement of said lever K under the action of a coin withdraws the stop I or shifts the movementcontroller in the direction to start the movement of the music-cylinder H and the object-holder C. As shown, the coin drops off the plate 34 almost immediately and falls into the money-drawer 35 below, and the lever K is so hung that so soon as the pressure of the coin is relieved it returns to normal position and the stop I is interposed again in the path of the tooth 32, so as to arrest the movement of the objectholder (l and the music-cylinder H so soon as 'the latter has completed a revolution.

cylinder l-I, so as to be rotated by the weight,

G when the stop-pin I is removed by the action of the coin on the lever K of the coinmotoras just explained. The notched disk L of the light-controller is in electrical connection with the lamp E, through the frame 36 of the musical instrument, and the spring L', insulated from the said frame by being secured to the wooden sounding-board of the musical instrument, is connected electrically with the portion of conductor 17 leading to the cells 19. Normally the end of the spring L is out of electrical connection with the disk L; but as soon as the latter revolves a short distance it makes contact therewith and establishes the light in the shell 14. At the end of a revolution of the disk L the electrical con' nection is interrupted and the light of the lamp E ceases, leaving the interior of the instrument in darkness.

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frame 3G, which rests on the strips 39.

, having for each angle-strip a branch or arm,

to which said strip is vsecured by solderor otherwise. The glass sides and ends are coniined between the angle-strips 4l and holding-strips 43, secured by screws or otherwise to the respective arms or branches of the corner-pieces 42. This case is adapted to the inclosed instrument, and the glass of one end is arranged to cover the sight-opening in the cap-piece 2. (See Fig. VI.) Said end is also preferably provided for an eye-plate 44, the face of which may be utilized for directions in regard to the use of the instrument.

If during the use of the instrument thel weight G should reach the end of its course,

it is evident that the lamp E would continue to glow, since the spring L would still make contact with the disk L. To avoid such result a circuit-breaker P P is placed in one of the conductors, as 1S, ot the lamp E and is arranged to be operated to break the eircuit when the power to drive the moving parts of the machin-e is nearly or quite eX- hausted. As shown, the spring P is placed in the path of the weight G and normally makes contact with the contact-plate P 5 but when the weight G is approaching the bottom of its course said spring is pressed down by said weight and moved otf the plate P, so as to break the circuit and extinguish the lamp E, although the spring L may still make contact with the disk L. Then the weight G is lifted again in rewinding the same, the spring P moves itself automatically back into contact with the plate P.

In Fig. X a light-controller is shown in the form of a screen or shutter L, which normally interposes itself on the inside of the case N over the sight-opening in the cappiece 2, so as to prevent the light-rays from passing out of or through the instrument. As shown, it is mounted on a lever 45, fulcrumed at the lower end and resting at a higher point against a stationary pin 46. A pin 47 projects from the arm 33 of the movement-controller behind the lever 45, but preferably at such a distance that the sto'p I may clear the tooth 32 j ustbefore the pin 47 strikes the lever 45. In this arrangement the musiccylinder H is provided with a cam-surface 4S,

which moves ont the stop I, arm 33, pin 47, and lever 45, so as to remove the screen or shutter L from before the sight-opening in the cap-piece 2 and hold the parts in this position until the music-cylinder has nearly completed a revolution, when the said camsurface allows the shutter L to drop, so as to close the sight-opening, and the stop I to place itself in the path of the tooth 32 in position to stop the mechanism driven by the weight G. \Vith this forni of light-controller the electric lamp E or an opening behind the object-box for the ,passage of light from an outside source could be used to enable the interior of the instrument to be illuminated.

In Figs. XI and XII a light-controller is shown in the form of a screen or shutter L at the rear end of the machine, which prevents the passage of light into or through the instrument. This screen or shutter is formed on the shell 14, which is elsewhere perforated with slots 49 for the passage of light, and which lis covered by a stationary casing L7 0f opaque material, provided with an opening 50 for the passage of light from any suitable source, natural or artificial. opening is closed by the screen or shutter L so that the interior of the instrument is in darkness. When, however, the power mechanism is started through the action of a coin on the lever K'of the coin-motor and the consequent shifting of the stop I or movement-controller, the rotation of the shell 14 removes the screen or shutter L and brings the slotted portion of said shell opposite the opening 50, so that light may stream through that opening and the slots, which thus enable the interior of the instrument to be illuminated.

I make no claim herein to the construct-ion of the glass case, as the same has been adjudged to be subject-matter for a separate application.

I claim as my invention or discoveryl. A new or improved kaleidoscope comprising, in combination with a tube or case provided with a sight-opening, angularly-arranged mirrors, a movable object-holder, and means for enabling the interior of the instrument to be illuminated, a light-controller for exhibiting the interior of the instrument and for closing the exhibition according to the position of said controller, a power mechanism for driving the said obj ect-holder,a movement-controller for starting and stopping the motion of the said obj ect-holder by said power mechanism, and a coin-motor connected with either or both said light and movement controllers, substantially as described.

2. A new or improved kaleidoscope comprising, in combination with a tube or case provided with a sight-opening, angularly-arranged mirrors, a movable obj ect-holder, and means for enabling the interior of the instrument to be illuminated, a light-controller for exhibiting the interior of the instrument and for stopping the exhibition, a power mechanism for dri vin g said obj ect-holder, and a movement-controller for starting and stopping the motion of the said object-holder by the power mechanism, substantially as described.

3. In combination with the angularly-ar- Normally this i IOO IIO

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ranged mirrors and tube or case ot a kaleidoscope, the movable object-holder, the means for enabling the interior of the instrument to be illuminated, and means whereby the said object-holder can be moved, a movement-controller for the said object-holder, and a coinmotor connected with said movement-controller, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the tube or case and a'ngularly-arranged mirrors in akaleidoscope, of a rotary object-box with transparent or translucent front and back, a power mechanism for revolving` said object-box, a 1novement-controller for starting and stopping the rota-tion of the said object-box by said power mechanism, and a coin-motor connected with said movement-controller, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the tube or case provided with a sight-opening, the angularlyarranged mirrors, and the transparent or translucent object-box, of an electric lamp arranged on the opposite side of said box from said mirrors in line with the opening -betweensaid mirrors, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with a tube provided with a sight-opening and angularly-arranged mirrors, of the cup-shaped shell, a journalbearing for said shell, means for revolving the said shell, andthe object-holder mounted in front of and turning with said shell, substantially as described.

7. In combination with a kaleidoscope-tube provided with angularly-arranged mirrors, a

transparent or translucent object-box, a cupshaped shell behind said box, and an electric lamp in said shell, substantially as described.

S. In combination with a kaleidoscope-tube provided with angularly-arranged mirrors and an object-box, the rotary shell on which the object-box is mounted, the stationary journal-pin on which said shell turns, and an electric lamp mounted on said pin in said shell, substantially as described.

9. rlhe combination ofthe tube provided with the angularly-arranged mirrors, the objectbox, the electric lamp, and the cup-shaped shell provided with a reflector inclosing said lamp, substantially as described.

10. The cup-shaped shell provided with a central hub on the inside and a reiiector formed of numerous trapezoidal pieces with the narrow ends resting on the said hub and their Wide ends supported at the mouth ot the shell, substantially as described.

11. In combination with a kaleidoscope provided with angularly-placed mirrors, a rotary object-box mount-ed on a horizontal axis, or axis having a horizontal component, and divided longitudinally or in the direction of said axis, and provided with different setsvof loose objects in thecompartmentsthusformed, substantially as described.

12. In combination with a kaleidoscopetube provided with angnlarly-arranged mirrors, an object-box mounted on a horizontal 14. In combination with the angularly-arranged mirrors and tube of a kaleidoscope, a -movable object-holder, means for moving said holder, and means for illuminating the interiJr of the instrument, a light-controller for exhibiting the moving objects belonging to said holder and their refiection in said mirrors and for stopping the exhibition, according to its position, and a coin-motor conl nected with said light-controller, substantially as described.

15. The combination of akaleidoscope-tube provided with angularly-placed mirrors, a rotary object-box at the rear end of said tube, an electric lamp for illuminating the interior of thel said object-box and tube, a light-controller in the form of a circuit-changer or electrical switch in the circuit of said lamp, and a coin-motor connected with said circuitchanger or electrical switch, substantially as described.

1G. The combination, with the angularlyarranged mirrors and tube in akaleidoscope, a movable object-holder therefor, and means for illuminating the interior of the instrument, of a power mechanism for driving said object-holder, a movement -controller for starting and stopping the movement of said object-holder by said power mechanism, a coin-motor connected with said movementcontroller, and a li ght-controller for exhibiting the interior of the instrument and for stopping the exhibition connected with said power-mechanism and through it with the coin-motor, so as to be controlled thereby, substantially as described.

17. The combination of the tube and angularly-arranged mirrors in a kaleidoscope, a movable obj ect-holder therefor, means for illuminating the interior of the instrument., a power mechanism for driving said objectholder, a inovement-controller for starting and stopping the movement of the said object-holder by said power mechanism, a musical instrument operated by said power mechanism, and a light-controller for exhibiting the interior of said instrument and stopping the exhibition, according to the position of said light-controller, substantially as described.

18. The tube provided with a sight-opening and with angularly-arranged mirrors and the rotary transparent or translucent object-box at the rear end of said tube, in combination with a music cylinder and comb, gearing connecting the said cylinder with the IOO said object-box, a weight or source of power for driving the music-cylinder and objectboX, a movement-controller for starting and stopping saidmusic-cylinder and object-box, and a coin-motor connected with said movement-controller, substantially as described.v

, 19. The combination, with an electric lamp, a circuit-changer or electrical switch in the circuit of said lamp, and a power mechanism connected with said circuit-changer,of a supplemental circuit-breaker in said circuit, the same having a part which is shifted to open the circuit when the power for operating said mechanism runs down, substantially as described.

20. The combination, with the tube provided with a sight-opening and with angularly-arranged mirrors and the movable object-holder, of an electric lamp, apower mechanism for driving said obj eet-holder,a movement-controller, a circuit-changer or electrical switch in the lainp-circuit operated by said power mechanism, and a supplementary circuit-breaker in said lamp-circuit, the said circuit-breaker havin g a part which is shifted to open the circuit when the power mechanism is run down, substantially as described.

2l. The stand provided with a soundingboard on top, the musical instrument mounted on said sounding` board, the tube with a sight-opening and angularly-arranged mir- 4 ments, namely:

rors supported above said musical instrument, the rotary object-box at the rear end of said tube, the gearing connecting` the music-cylinder with the rotary object-box, and a movemenL-controller for starting and stopping the mechanism, substantially as described.

22. A coin-controlled musical self-exhibiting kaleidoscope comprising, in colnbination with the kaleidoscope tube or case, the angularly-arranged mirrors, obj ect-box, and means for enabling the-interior of the instrument to be illuminated, the following additional elea musical instrument, a power mechanism connected with the cylinder of said instrument and said object-box, a movement-controller, a light-controller, and a coin-motor, substantially as described.

23. In combination with the tube provided with a sight-opening and angularly-arranged mirrors of a kaleidoscope, an object box mounted to turn on` a horizontal axis and provided with a compartment of an angular outline and loose objects therein, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof l have signed this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

CLEMENT COL'ERIDGE CLAWSON.

Witnesses:

JOHN C. BOUTON, JOHN T. BROWN. 

